Flow Instruments · FI
Handheld Ultrasonic Flowmeters — Portable Clamp-on Flow Meters
A handheld ultrasonic flowmeter is a battery-powered, clamp-on meter for spot checks, energy audits, commissioning and verifying installed flowmeters. Pioneer supplies portable transit-time units with three transducer sizes covering pipes from 12 mm to 4570 mm, ±12 m/s bidirectional, accuracy 1.0% of reading above 0.5 m/s and about 12 hours of operation per charge.
- Velocity range: ±12 m/s, bidirectional
- Unit size and weight: 100 × 204 × 34 mm, under 0.6 kg
- Outputs: 4–20 mA, pulse, relay, RS 232C or RS 485
Overview
What it does and where it fits.
The portable meter works on the same transit-time principle as a fixed clamp-on flowmeter. Two transducers are strapped to the pipe, the user enters the pipe data, and the meter shows flow rate, velocity and totalised volume within minutes, without cutting the pipe or stopping the process.
It suits HVAC balancing, pump performance tests, water audits and checking a suspect inline meter. The kit comes in a carrying case with the handheld unit, transducers, belts and charger, so one instrument can cover many sites and pipe sizes.
For continuous monitoring with an output to a BMS or SCADA, use a fixed clamp-on flowmeter instead.
Types
- Portable kit with S, M and L transducersCovers 12–50 mm, 40–1000 mm and 1000–4570 mm pipes with one handheld unit.
- Compact portable versionLighter unit with RS 232 output and transducer cable extendable to 25 m.
- Basic portable version for clear waterABS-housed handheld for clear water, 0 to ±7 m/s, ±2% accuracy, RS 232 Modbus.
- High-temperature transducersFor liquid temperatures up to 250 °C.
Features
- Non-invasive clamp-on measurement; no pressure drop or leaks
- Built-in rechargeable NiMH batteries, about 12 hours per charge
- Bidirectional measurement up to ±12 m/s
- 4-line, 16-character backlit LCD
- Flow rate, velocity and totaliser in English or metric units
- Keypad lockout and access code
- Unit weighs under 0.6 kg; full kit in a carrying case under 3.5 kg
Applications
- HVAC chilled water and heating water balancing
- Pump performance and efficiency tests
- Water audits and leak investigation
- Verification of installed flowmeters
- Commissioning and troubleshooting in process plants
- Facility management of building water systems
Specifications
Spec table.
Standard ranges and materials. Tell us your medium, range and connection and we will match the model.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Principle | Transit time, clamp-on |
| Power supply | 3 × AAA NiMH built-in batteries (about 12 hours operation); charger 100–240 V AC |
| Velocity range | ±12 m/s, bidirectional |
| Accuracy | 1.0% of reading above 0.5 m/s; 0.005 m/s below 0.5 m/s |
| Sensitivity | 0.0003 m/s (0.001 ft/s) |
| Repeatability | 0.2% of reading |
| Display | 4 lines × 16 characters LCD with backlight; flow rate, velocity, totaliser |
| Units | User configurable, English or metric: gallons, ft³, barrels, lbs, litres, m³, kg |
| Outputs | 4–20 mA, pulse, relay, RS 232C or RS 485 |
| Security | Keypad lockout, access code |
| Unit size and weight | 100 × 204 × 34 mm, under 0.6 kg |
| Liquids | Most liquids with less than 2% total suspended solids or aeration |
| Liquid temperature | Standard transducer −40 to 121 °C; high-temperature transducer −40 to 250 °C |
| Pipe size | S transducer 12–50 mm; M transducer 40–1000 mm; L transducer 1000–4570 mm |
| Transducer size and weight | S 42 × 25 × 25 mm, under 0.3 kg; M 60 × 43 × 43 mm, under 0.6 kg; L 80 × 53 × 53 mm, under 1.0 kg |
| Carrying case | 445 × 290 × 130 mm, under 3.5 kg |
| Mounting belts | 2 bundles of flexible belts |
Other portable versions
| Parameter | Compact portable | Basic portable (clear water) |
|---|---|---|
| Power supply | 3 × AAA NiMH (about 12 hours); charger 100–240 V AC | Rechargeable NiMH, about 12 hours (with charger) |
| Velocity | ±12 m/s, bidirectional | 0 to ±7 m/s |
| Accuracy | ±1% of reading above 0.5 m/s | ±2% |
| Repeatability | 0.2% of span | — |
| Display | 4 lines × 16 characters, backlit | 4 × 16 characters, backlit |
| Output / communication | RS 232 | RS 232 with Modbus; no analogue output |
| Unit size and weight | 204 × 90 × 30 mm, under 0.5 kg | — |
| Housing | — | ABS |
| Pipe size | S 15–80 mm; M 50–700 mm; L 400–4570 mm | — |
| Pipe material | — | Carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, PVC |
| Transducer temperature | Standard −40 to 120 °C; high −40 to 250 °C | — |
| Transducer cable | 6 m standard, extendable to 25 m | — |
| Carrying case | 463 × 383 × 103 mm | — |
Field accuracy depends on correct pipe data, full pipe, adequate straight run and good transducer coupling.
For consultants
Consultant spec clause.
Paste it into your technical specification or BOQ, then adjust ranges and quantities to your schedule.
1. Portable flowmeter shall be of transit-time ultrasonic type with clamp-on transducers, requiring no pipe cutting or process interruption. 2. Handheld unit shall run on built-in rechargeable NiMH batteries for about 12 hours per charge, with a 100–240 V AC charger. 3. Measurement shall be bidirectional up to ±12 m/s with accuracy 1.0% of reading above 0.5 m/s and repeatability 0.2% of reading. 4. Kit shall include S, M and L transducers covering pipes from 12 mm to 4570 mm (sizes as specified), rated −40 to 121 °C (high-temperature transducers, −40 to 250 °C, where specified). 5. Display shall be a backlit 4-line LCD showing flow rate, velocity and totaliser in user-selectable metric or English units, with keypad lockout. 6. Outputs shall include 4–20 mA (pulse / relay / RS 232C / RS 485 as specified). 7. Kit shall be supplied in a carrying case with mounting belts, couplant, charger, operating manual and a manufacturer's test certificate. Make: Pioneer Industrial Instruments, Pune, or approved equivalent.
Should I buy a handheld or a fixed clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter?
Buy a handheld meter when you need to check flow at many points: audits, balancing, commissioning, pump tests or verifying installed meters. Buy a fixed clamp-on meter when one line needs continuous measurement with a 4–20 mA or Modbus signal to a BMS or PLC. Many facilities keep one portable unit and install fixed meters on critical lines.
How accurate are portable ultrasonic flow readings on site?
The instrument is rated 1.0% of reading above 0.5 m/s, but site accuracy depends mainly on setup. Enter the correct outside diameter, wall thickness, pipe material and lining, place the transducers on a straight, full section, and use enough couplant. Because flow depends on internal area, a 1% error in internal diameter gives about a 2% error in flow.
Which transducer size do I need?
Use the S transducer for 12–50 mm pipes, M for 40–1000 mm and L for 1000–4570 mm. The ranges overlap, so a 40–50 mm pipe can use S or M; the smaller transducer usually gives a better signal on small pipes. For a kit that covers typical building services lines from 15 to 300 mm, S and M transducers are usually enough.
Can a handheld ultrasonic meter measure chilled water and hot water?
Yes. Standard transducers cover liquid temperatures from −40 to 121 °C, which includes chilled water, condenser water and most heating water. High-temperature transducers extend this to 250 °C. Use a couplant rated for the pipe surface temperature, and on insulated pipes remove insulation only at the transducer location and reinstate it afterwards.
Why does the meter show low signal or no reading?
Common causes are a partly empty pipe, air bubbles or solids above about 2%, wrong pipe data, too little couplant, transducers on a weld or seam, or heavy internal scale and lining. Check the pipe is full, clean the surface to bare metal or paint, re-enter the pipe data and recheck spacing. Cement and glass-steel pipes may not transmit ultrasound at all.
